Podcast Summary
Steve Aoki's Global Movement and Philanthropy: From promoting small gigs to becoming a global DJ, Steve Aoki's success comes from his dedication, perseverance, and commitment to social and humanitarian issues.
Steve Aoki, a label owner, DJ, producer, fashion executive, and philanthropist, has made a name for himself by taking a proactive stance on social and humanitarian issues. From humble beginnings promoting small gigs in his apartment, Steve has built a global movement and become one of the biggest DJs in the world. He shares insights on completing projects, shifting crowds' energy during performances, and the importance of teamwork. Despite the challenges and struggles, Steve's dedication and perseverance have led him to success. Listeners are encouraged to share this episode with friends and check out Steve Aoki's documentary on Netflix for even more inspiration.
Steve Aoki's Values in Work Environment: DJ Steve Aoki prioritizes creativity and comfort in his work environment, transforming it into a studio complex. He executes projects from start to finish with a project-oriented mindset and overcomes fear to fuel motivation.
Steve Aoki, a legendary DJ and producer, values creativity and comfort above all else in his work environment. He has transformed his personal workspace into a studio complex, providing a space for himself and other artists to create. Aoki's drive to succeed comes from his project-oriented mindset and the importance of executing projects from start to finish. He overcomes fear and encourages his team to do the same. Personal connections and experiences, such as his family dynamics and past collaborations, fuel his motivation to be at the top of his game. Aoki's inspiring story of perseverance is a reminder that focusing on the beginning and end of projects and overcoming fear can lead to great success.
Betting on oneself to overcome creative blocks: Accountability and community can help individuals overcome creative blocks by setting goals, providing guidance, and imposing consequences for not meeting them. This approach fosters discipline and encourages progress towards achieving goals.
Accountability and community can help individuals overcome creative blocks and achieve their goals. Steve Aoki shared an experience where he bet his brother-in-law to finish his first song within three weeks. When his brother-in-law struggled, Aoki provided guidance and set consequences for not meeting the goal. This approach was part of Aoki Boo Camp, a disciplinary program focused on meeting goals. The penalty was not monetary but three months of rigorous workouts. Aoki emphasized the importance of being strict with oneself and one's team to ensure accountability. He also highlighted the power of having a community that shares the same belief and holds each other accountable. This can be achieved through regular check-ins and consequences for not meeting commitments.
The power of community and purpose: Find your passion and surround yourself with supportive individuals to stay committed to your goals and reap the intrinsic rewards of self-improvement and community building.
Having a strong community and a shared sense of purpose can be a powerful motivator to finish projects and stay committed to goals. The speaker shares how their involvement in the hardcore music scene instilled in them the importance of completing projects and contributing to the community. This mindset extends beyond music and can apply to any passion or interest. The key is to find what drives you and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support and push each other towards their goals. The focus is on the intrinsic rewards of self-improvement and community building, rather than external validation or financial gain.
The joy of giving and connecting: Genuine relationships bring more joy than receiving. Prioritize investments in creating meaningful experiences, and stay true to your passion and fan base.
Giving and connecting with others brings more joy and fulfillment than receiving. This was evident in the speaker's experience of hosting shows in their living room for small audiences, where they prioritized building genuine relationships and treating everyone as equals. Sacrifices, such as time and resources, were not seen as burdens but investments in creating meaningful experiences. The speaker also emphasized the importance of staying true to one's passion and fan base, as they were once a part of that community themselves. Ultimately, the speaker's message highlights the power of authentic connections and the impact they can have on personal growth and happiness.
Staying present and connected with engaged individuals: Focus on fully engaged individuals to create meaningful experiences for everyone in the room
While it's important to have big goals and aspirations, it's equally important to stay present and connected with the people in front of us in the moment. This is especially true when speaking or performing in front of large crowds, where it can be easy to become disconnected and lose focus on the individuals who are fully engaged. By focusing on those who are present and fully engaged, we can bring the entire room back to the present and create a more meaningful experience for everyone involved. It's a balance between having big dreams and staying grounded in the present moment. It's not about ignoring the larger crowd, but rather ensuring that those who are fully present and engaged feel seen and valued. This approach can lead to more meaningful connections and a more impactful experience for everyone involved.
Artist's most inspiring moments and father's influence: Artists should focus on their passion, impact and those who inspire them, rather than accolades or expectations.
Focusing on the people who care and remembering the reasons for pursuing a passion can help artists navigate the ups and downs of their careers. The artist shares that his most inspiring moments include his first big performance at Coachella and receiving a Grammy nomination. He also emphasizes the importance of his father as an influence, despite his father's personal shortcomings. The artist reflects that he's not focused on accolades or expectations, but rather on the impact of his music and the people it reaches. He finds it difficult to watch a documentary about himself as he sees it as a tribute to those who have influenced him, rather than a self-aggrandizing film. The biggest lesson he learned from his father was his unyielding drive, which came with personal sacrifices.
Balancing Life's Priorities: Business, Health, and Family: Strive for an integrated balance in life, making every moment with loved ones meaningful and contributing to overall well-being. Encourage personal growth and healthy habits when not with family, and challenge oneself to learn new things.
Prioritizing different aspects of life, such as business, health, and family, can vary from person to person. While some may put business first, others may prioritize family and health. The speaker emphasizes the importance of an integrated balance approach, where every moment spent with loved ones is meaningful and contributes to their overall well-being. When not with family, the goal is to help them make the most of their time, encouraging healthy habits and personal growth. This approach requires challenging oneself to learn new things and push beyond comfort zones. Ultimately, it's about making the most of every moment and ensuring that each aspect of life is nurtured and valued.
Following your passion can lead to unexpected opportunities: Passionately pursuing your interests can lead to new experiences, skills, and businesses, even if initial attempts fail. Keep learning and persevering to turn challenges into growth.
Following your passion and drive can lead you to unexpected places and challenges, but with determination and a deadline, you can turn those experiences into growth and success. The speaker, a musician and entrepreneur, shares how his love for music propelled him into various industries, including fashion. He describes how seizing opportunities, such as DJing at a trade show, pushed him to learn new skills and build a business from the ground up. Despite initial failures, the speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance and continuing to learn from each experience. Ultimately, his passion and drive have guided him through various industries and allowed him to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Absent father figure fuels entrepreneurial journey: An absent father figure can motivate individuals to prove themselves, leading to various business ventures. Perseverance and hard work can lead to success, despite the lack of external support.
Personal experiences and challenges can significantly impact an individual's drive and success. The speaker shared how his absent father figure motivated him to prove himself, leading him to explore various businesses, from magic shows to fashion. Through hard work and determination, he managed to build successful ventures, including a trade show and a fashion business. However, he pondered on how his life might have been different if his father had been more present and supportive. He speculated that he might not have been as driven, but he also might have achieved earlier success if his father had invested in him financially. Ultimately, the speaker's story highlights the importance of finding motivation and persevering through challenges, even in the absence of external support.
The importance of a safety net for pursuing passions: A safety net can provide confidence to take risks and pursue passions, even if financial stability isn't the primary goal. Staying relevant and adapting to trends is crucial, but ultimately, finding joy and fulfillment in one's work is valuable.
Having a safety net can provide the confidence to take risks and pursue passions, even if financial stability isn't the primary goal. The speaker's experiences in the music industry have shown him that staying relevant and adapting to trends is crucial, but ultimately, he values the joy and fulfillment he gets from creating music. Despite facing financial challenges in the past, he recognizes the importance of acknowledging the safety net that allowed him to take risks and focus on his passions rather than solely on making money. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and being open to change, even if it means stepping out of one's comfort zone and potentially losing some recognition.
Embrace your passion and evolve with support: Stay true to your passions, connect with supporters, and continue growing despite changes in relevance or popularity.
Staying true to your passion and continuing to create, even when relevance or popularity wanes, is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. The speaker emphasizes the importance of connecting with those who support and believe in you, as they may also evolve and change. Additionally, the speaker shares the experience of a mentor who has experienced ups and downs in their career but remains confident in their abilities and continues to push the boundaries of their craft. Lastly, the speaker shares a personal, seemingly insignificant talent, highlighting the importance of embracing all aspects of oneself.
Balancing Creative Work and Public Engagements with a Supportive Team: Effective time management and trusting a supportive team are essential for balancing creative work and public engagements. Let go of control and trust the right people to manage different areas.
Effective time and team management are crucial for balancing creative work and public engagements. The speaker, who is a musician and fashion designer, emphasizes the importance of having a supportive team to handle various aspects of their career. This includes publicity, project management, and collaboration with other artists and industry professionals. The speaker also highlights the importance of letting go of control and trusting the right people to help manage different areas. Additionally, the speaker shares a unique sneezing technique that reduces the spread of bacteria and minimizes the sound, which could contribute to better hygiene and fewer colds.
The importance of support systems and trust: Maintain non-negotiables for daily routines, surround yourself with positivity, and give up bad habits for personal and professional growth.
Having the right support system and trust in those around you is crucial for personal and professional growth. The speaker shared their experience of working with inexperienced managers and the challenges they faced while touring. They emphasized the importance of establishing non-negotiables for daily routines, such as health and work habits, to maintain a balanced and productive lifestyle. Additionally, they discussed the importance of discipline and giving up bad habits to make room for positive ones. Lastly, the speaker emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with positive people and maintaining a positive outlook on life as three essential truths for achieving happiness and success.
Steve Aoki's Charity Focused on Brain Research: Steve Aoki's charity fund focuses on brain research and related diseases. Attend the fundraiser on Nov 15th, 2023, at Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas to donate, spread awareness, or buy merchandise.
Steve Aoki is not only a successful DJ and music producer but also a dedicated philanthropist, focusing on brain research and related diseases through his charitable fund. Aoki emphasizes the importance of supporting this cause, as the brain is essential for our intelligence and well-being. On November 15th, 2023, there will be a fundraiser at Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas for his charitable fund, where people can donate, spread the word, or buy merchandise to contribute. Aoki's passion for pushing boundaries and bringing people together in the music industry is a testament to his leadership and commitment to making a difference. He believes that greatness comes from constantly challenging oneself and making a positive impact on the world.
Keep striving for improvement, no matter the audience size: Focus on the process and impact on others, not just the destination, and keep doing what resonates with you.
There is no plateau in life, and it's essential to constantly strive for improvement, no matter the size of the audience or community we touch. Steve, a successful DJ, started from humble beginnings and continues to work hard and find joy in his craft, whether performing for a small or large crowd. The journey itself is an adventure, and focusing on the process and impact on others is more important than the destination. So, keep doing what you love and resonates with you and others, and enjoy the journey towards your goals. Remember, LewisHouse.com/401 for more information on Steve's charity and support him. #GreatnessNation #JourneyOverDestination.
